Chapter 1

What a great day to go for a swim Rex thought to himself, taking a look out his window watching the sun creeping over the trees in his street.

perfect start to the weekend he thought, having quite a terrible week at school as usual. Rex was turning 18 in 2 weeks, so this year at school was his last. Only problem with school for Rex was being one of the outcasts at his school, he was a constant target for bullies.

But not today, today he would go and spend the day in the sun, relaxing in the water to clear his thoughts with some music. Rex spent most of his time either exploring or swimming on his weekends.

Getting ready for his day, Rex changed into his usual t-shirt and board shorts opened his door and headed downstairs.

Today would be different he thought to himself, today he was going to win. The game Rex and his grandmother often played involved Rex attempting to sneak up on his grandmother trying to catch her by surprise. 

He crept down the stair case, around the corner and into the dining room, lucky for him today his grandmother was sitting with her back to him, easy win this time he chuckled to himself.

He was just about to grab her shoulders when..

"How is my king this morning?" Said his grandmother Iris, casually sipping on her morning coffee, she was a demon! Rex thought, he never made a sound and she didn't even have to turn her head.

"I can never seem to sneak up on you, and why do you always call me 'king'" he huffed, letting out the air he had held while trying to sneak.

"It's simple my dear, experience" she said chuckling, "Rex 0, Iris....I can't even count that high, and like I always tell you, your name Rex means 'King' in Latin and was given to you for a purpose by your parents."

Parent. That was the one word Rex hated the most because his 'parents' had given him to his grandmother when he was a baby because they had some important thing to take care of, well that's what iris told him, so he didn't even know what they looked like.

"Any big plans for the weekend?" Said Iris, pulling him out of his gloomy thoughts.

"Just going to head down to the river for a swim" he replied, lightening up a little because he knew Iris was trying to cheer him up.

"Your breakfast is on the bench, don't drink all the juice this time please" Iris said sternly.

"Thanks gran" he said, eating quickly so he was able to leave.

"Would you look at that, almost 8am, time for my morning tv show" Iris said, hopping up.

"I'll see you this afternoon!" Rex called out, throwing his plate in the sink before walking into the garage grabbing his backpack and picking up his bicycle.

It took Rex almost an hour to reach the river, seeing as his house was on the north side of town and the river ran along the southern part of town.

It was called the Golden River due to a special type of plant that grew along its banks. Once a year the plants would sprout golden flowers that that only lasted for 2 days, that always coincided with Rex's birthday, he felt an unknown connection deep down to this place and had for as long as he could remember, that is why he enjoyed spending his time here.

"Woukd you look who just showed up!!" Laughed Dean. Dean was the most popular boy in his year and was also the one who targeted Rex the most. "Come to ruin our day at the river with your presence have you?"

"I don't want to be anywhere near you" Rex replied, turning his bike away from the group of people who Dean was with.

"You aren't going to let him speak to you like that are you?" Asked the pretty girl Dean had brought to the river to impress, "You told me you ran the school and everyone in it."

"We will go and teach him a lesson about respecting his superiors, you wait here." Dean said standing and motioning to the other 2 boys that were there, "let's get him." 

This looks like a good quiet spot Rex thought to himself as he pulled up his bike, he looked around and was happy that he had found a place that wasn't close to other groups. 

Rex pulled his bag off his back and sat down, opening the zip and pulled out his floating speaker and phone, paired them together, started the music and dropped the phone into the bag again. Heading down to the river speaker in hand, he walked into the water.

The water was so nice and warm that Rex closed his eyes to fully enjoy it. So when his music suddenly stopped Rex opened them again, looked up to where his bag was and noticed Dean standing there with a smile from ear to ear. Why is he...Rex had answered his own question, Dean had smashed his phone and was waving it at him to come and take it back.

Swimming up to the bank, Rex walked out, dried himself off and was about to give Dean a peace of his mind when Dean acted first, shoving him down onto the ground.

"We are going to give you lessons in respecting your superiors" Dean snarled.

Well not today Rex thought getting himself back to his feet, not noticing that Dean's friends were sneaking around behind him.

"This is for making me leave my girl at the table" Dean growled.